11.23.2012

Top 5 Thanksgiving Leftovers Recipes!

What's Your Thanksgiving Leftover Recipe?Photo: Bon Appetit

Two words: Thanksgiving leftovers. To some people, getting through Thanksgiving Day is a necessary evil in the way of getting of their leftover Thanksgiving sandwich. It's tradition. Ritual, even. My family is no exception and everyone has a very personal take on how their leftover sandwich should be made. Here's mine: I lightly toast two pieces of fresh sourdough bread and load it up with turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, sweet potatoes. No mustard, mayonnaise or lettuce for me. No, sir.

Bryan, on the other hand, alternates between two styles: 1) Traditional deli-style (i.e. cold) sandwich with mustard, mayonnaise, lettuce, tomato, pickle, etc., and 2) A hot sandwich that he calls, "Thanksgiving between bread." He shmears sweet potato on one piece of bread and gravy on the other, then loads it with turkey (white meat only) and cranberry sauce. No stuffing or potato involved. He reserves them for the sides.

2. Turkey Banh Mi Sandwich
This Thanksgiving-inspired version of the traditional Vietnamese baguette sandwich is made with leftover turkey and dressed with mayonnaise, Asian chile sauce, cucumber, carrot, and fresh cilantro. Increase the heat with sliced fresh jalapenos, if you like some extra spice.

4. Black Friday Turkey and Poached Eggs
Technically, this turkey-meets-eggs Benedict isn't a sandwich, but that won't stop me from putting it between two toasted pieces of zucchini walnut bread. The recipe comes courtesy of Nathan Beauchamp head chef of popular D.C. restaurant 1789.